telescopic

adjective

tele·​scop·​ic ˌte-lə-ˈskä-pik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or performed with a telescope

b

: suitable for seeing or magnifying distant objects

2

: seen or discoverable only by a telescope

telescopic stars

3

: able to discern objects at a distance

4

: having parts that telescope

telescopically

ˌte-lə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of telescopic in a Sentence

The rifle has a telescopic sight.

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s got an adjustable telescopic wand and accessories like an anti-tangle pet hair tool, crevice tool, and combination tool to pick up debris on non-floor areas as well. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

The 360-degree silent spinner wheels glide smoothly on various surfaces, such as carpet, tile, and even cobblestone, and the telescopic handle adjusts to multiple heights for custom comfort and control. —Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2024

The team studied the composition of meteorites found on Earth and conducted a telescopic survey of the materials that make up the major asteroid families in the asteroid belt. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024

If missing out on a telescopic snapshot of a faint fuzzy dot somehow leaves you feeling blue, there’s solace to be found in the future. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

telescopic

adjective

tele·​scop·​ic ˌtel-ə-ˈskäp-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or performed with a telescope

2

: seen or discoverable only by a telescope

telescopic stars

3

: able to discern objects at a distance

telescopic vision

4

: having parts that telescope

telescopically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb